Psychometric Properties of the Preparedness Assessment for the Transition Home (PATH) in Caregivers of Patients with Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Orthopedic Trauma and Neurological Conditions

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> The Preparedness Assessment for the Transition Home (PATH) is a 25-item validated survey that significantly predicts 30-day and 90-day outcomes on the health-related quality of life of caregivers of patients in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF). Originally validated for stroke caregivers, the present study validates the PATH on a broader IRF population. <h3>Design</h3> A consecutive cohort of family caregivers of IRF patients admitted 10/1/2019 through 7/31/2021 and followed longitudinally up to 90-days post-discharge. <h3>Setting</h3> An IRF in Northern California. <h3>Participants</h3> 325 caregivers of IRF patients completed the PATH (Brain Injury, N = 131; Spinal Cord Injury, N = 103; Orthopedic Conditions/Major Multiple Trauma, N = 56; Neurological Disorders, N = 35). <h3>Interventions</h3> N/A. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> (1) Internal Consistency Reliability: by computing Cronbach's alpha of the PATH responses for each caregiver sub-group. (2) Predictive validity by investigating the correlation between the PATH and 30-day and 90-day outcomes on caregiver strain and global health. <h3>Results</h3> Overall PATH completion rate was 71.4% (325 caregivers). The 30-day and 90-day attrition was 34% and 48% respectively. Internal consistency reliability for the PATH was 0.91, 0.88, 0.91, and 0.88 for caregivers of patients with Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injuries, Orthopedic/ Major Multiple Trauma, and Neurological Disorders, respectively. The PATH significantly predicted 30-day and 90-day outcomes in the brain injury and orthopedic groups, 30-day outcomes in the spinal cord injury group, and 90-day outcomes in the neurological disorders group. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The PATH demonstrates excellent psychometric properties when administered for a broad range of IRF caregivers. Future research is needed on the validity of the PATH in different care settings and regions, as well as its reliability among heterogenous caregivers. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> Michelle Camicia is a course instructor for MedBridge Inc. Barbara Lutz is a consultant and course instructor for MedBridge Inc. Brian Theodore has no disclosures for conflicts of interest. Cristine Ray has no disclosures for conflicts of interest.